THE NUMBER OF drug-related deaths in 2022 fell by 8% compared with the previous year, according to newly published statistics from the Health Research Board (HRB).

The HRB’s latest bulletin shows there were 343 drug poisoning deaths recorded in Ireland in 2022, a decrease on 2021 (373 deaths). It was the second consecutive year that number fell. 

However, the proportion of deaths involving cocaine increased between 2021 and 2022.

Drug poisoning is commonly referred to as overdosing. 

Cocaine was involved in 33.5% of drug poisoning deaths in 2022, an increase on the 30% recorded in 2021. 

During that period, the number of deaths decreased for all the main drug groups except cocaine, which remained stable. 

Between 2013 and 2022, the number of deaths with cocaine implicated increased from 32 to 115 – the largest increase of any drug type.

Decline in recent years

Between 2013 and 2022, the number of drug poisoning deaths overall increased 5.9% from 324 to 343.

However, the number peaked at 446 in 2020 before decreasing 16.4% to 373 the following year and further declining in 2022.

Some of the notable trends highlighted in the bulletin include the high proportion of deaths that involved cocaine and the fact that half the people who died were alone at the time of their poisoning. 

The most common drug groups implicated in deaths in 2022 were opioids (65%), benzodiazepines (48.1%), and cocaine (33.5%).

The main specific drugs were methadone (35.9%), cocaine (33.5%), and diazepam (29.2%).

Those were followed by alprazolam (28%), heroin (22.7%), alcohol (19%), and pregabalin (18.4%).

The majority of deaths (81%) involved prescribable drugs.

In 2022, eight in 10 deaths that involved cocaine also involved other drugs, most commonly heroin, methadone and other prescription drugs.

‘Behind the numbers are people’

The majority of those who died from drug poisoning in 2022 were men and, overall, two out of every five people who died had a history of mental health issues.

Another finding from the research shows that the vast majority of poisoning deaths involved prescription drugs like methadone, a substitute used in the treatment of opiate addiction, and diazepam (Valium).

“Mixing drugs is a major factor in deaths,” said Suzi Lyons, head of national health information systems at the HRB.

Lyons told The Journal that the findings reflect the rise in cocaine use, which was also a feature of the HRB’s report on drug related deaths in 2021.

“Our latest figures show that cocaine accounts for the largest increase in poisoning deaths during the 10-year period from 2013-2022, increasing by 259%,” she said.

Over a ten-year period, the rise in cocaine use has had a dramatic impact on death statistics.

Speaking about the people who died alone, Lyons said their deaths were often likely preventable if someone had been there to call an ambulance. She said it is hoped that new supervised injection sites will help to prevent such deaths. 

In terms of demographics, the median age of the people who died from drug poisoning was 45 for men and 46 for women.

“If we look at the profile among people who died, the majority are men, in their 30s and 40s, and many had a history of mental health issues,” Lyons said.

At least two in five of those who died were not in employment but most were living in stable accommodation. More than one in ten were homeless.

Almost 50% of the people who died from drug poisoning in 2022 lived in Dublin.

Commenting on the key findings, HRB chief executive Dr Gráinne Gorman said:

“These figures clearly convey the devastating impact of drug use in Ireland – let us not forget, especially as we approach Christmas, that behind the numbers are people, including children, who have lost loved ones.

“This is why the HRB does this work; to better understand why and how these deaths are happening. This can help inform preventative measures, which will ultimately save lives.”